“We just didn’t quite keep the same intensity and pressure” : Harry Kane explains reason behind loss against Spain
England failed at the final hurdle once again, as they were defeated by Spain in the finals of the 2024 Euros. The Three Lions lost 2-1 to the eventual champions, courtesy of a brilliant late goal from Mikel Oyarzabal. Harry Kane was devastated after another final loss, and explained the reason behind England’s defeat to Spain.
Nico Williams gave Spain the lead just moments after the restart in the second half. However, Cole Palmer scored a brilliant long range goal from outside the box to level the scores. Spain’s substitute Mikel Oyarzabal put Spain in front once again in the final five minutes of the match.
Harry Kane believes that England could not maintain the same level of intensity after they scored the equalizer. He stated that the Three Lions could not keep the pressure on Spain, as there were a lot of tired legs out on the field in the final.
“We just didn’t quite keep the same intensity and pressure (after scoring) or keep the ball well enough. It is the last stage of the tournament, and there are a lot of tired legs and a tired mentality there. We just struggled and then got caught with the ball in behind. It is down to big moments — we had a big moment at the end where they cleared one off the line, it could have been different, but for now it is really disappointing,” Kane was quoted by Goal.com as saying.
“It’s an opportunity missed” : Harry Kane on Euro finals defeat
Harry Kane stated that it was a big opportunity missed for England once again. The Three Lions have been defeated in the finals of the Euro for two consecutive editions, as they fell to a defeat to Italy in 2021.
Harry Kane added that the team wanted to win the Euros for manager Gareth Southgate, who could step down from managerial duties. England have not played their best football, but held their nerves when it mattered the most at the Euros.
However, that was not the case to be in the finals, as Spain were a level above everyone else involved in the tournament. “It’s an opportunity missed. It’s not easy to get to these finals. It takes unbelievable resilience and character to get to where we are but ultimately you take the opportunity when it comes and we haven’t done it again. It’s extremely painful, it’s going to hurt for a long, long time. It’s disappointing that we couldn’t win it for Gareth. We wanted so badly to win it for him,” Kane added.
